Congratulations to A/Prof Sara Barnes, Senior Medical Officer of General Medicine and Clinical Lead of Allergy and Immunology for winning the STAR Award for Excellence in Research, Teaching and Innovation.
This award is for an individual, group or team who develops innovative ways to improve the quality of health care and/or service delivery. This may include:
- Providing quality teaching/education.
- Developing innovative approaches to enhancing care or service delivery.
- Undertaking research that brings about significant improvements in clinical quality and safety.
The General Medicine team nominated Sara for consistently demonstrating her dedication and commitment, and in particular her remarkable contributions to governance.
Sara is an advocate for patient care and the health, safety and wellbeing of her colleagues. She promotes a supportive and thriving environment by consistently advocating for the wellbeing and considering the best interests of everyone.
From patients and colleagues, Sara’s advocacy extended to the hospital as a whole. Sara played a crucial role in promoting and improving hand hygiene practices across the board. One of her notable accomplishments is the implementation of the “Sanitise In” posters, which were her innovative brainchild.
In addition to her progress in governance and being an influential person in the organisation, Sara is a respected team player. When the General Medicine department faced a shortage of night medical admitting registrars, Sara stepped up as a consultant. Taking on this responsibility, she fulfilled the role with utmost professionalism and ensured the smooth operation of our services during challenging times.
The General Medicine team feel “truly fortunate to have Sara as part of our team” for her “dedication and commitment” and “positive impact on our operations”. Sara’s STAR Award is an opportunity to recognise and appreciate the extensive contributions Sara has made to Monash Health.
About her STAR Award win, Sara says, “It makes me feel humble as from my acknowledgments as everyone at Monash whom I work with, work with a passion to truly work towards giving people who seek our care the best that they can give. I am one person working within a team working towards that goal.
“I would like to thank the executive team including Martin Keogh, Georgia Soldatis, Anjali Dhulia and Stephanie Jones, who have put up with my constant re-brining up of ideas and maybe at times over-enthusiastic passion. The General Medicine team at Clayton from all the staff on wards 41 and 42 and the JMS and in particular Sally Charlton, Darren Gray, Matthew Dellit, Wee Jie Chee, General Medicine Liaison who always back any of the ideas we as a group come up with. Finally, Karen Newman and Elizabeth Leahy who have mentored me over the years.”
Congratulations to Sara for winning this STAR Award!
If you would like to nominate a colleague or team, you can do so at any time by visiting the STAR Awards portal. For more information about the STAR Awards program, Monash Health Employee Recognition Program page.
Approved by Chris McLoughlin, Executive Director, People and Culture